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Tourists at the Tulip garden in Srinagar. The average one-way spot fare to Srinagar from Delhi and Mumbai in the first week of April was 29 per cent and 48 per cent higher, respectively, on a year-on-year basis
| Photo Credit:
IMRAN NISSAR
A scorching heat wave across various parts of country has pushed the travel demand for hill stations in North India, resulting in up to 48 per cent increase in last-minute airfares to Dehradun and Srinagar.
In fact, Dehradun and Srinagar rank among the top five most-booked destinations during two long weekends this month, according to data from travel portal ixigo. Other destinations experiencing high demand include Goa, Coimbatore, Jammu, Port Blair and Jaipur.
Fare surge
According to ixigo, the average one-way spot fare to Srinagar from Delhi and Mumbai in the first week of April was 29 per cent and 48 per cent higher, respectively, on a year-on-year (y-o-y) basis. For the Dehradun sector, the highest increase in fares was seen from Kolkata (33 per cent), followed by Delhi and Mumbai routes, which reported 11 per cent and 7 per cent growth.
Among leisure destinations, Port Blair has seen a 25-26 per cent y-o-y increase in spot fares, driven by growing demand and fewer flights.
Domestic airlines are expected to operate 25,610 flights per week in the summer schedule, marking a 5.5 per cent growth on a y-o-y basis. Compared to the last winter season, the increase is a modest 2.4 per cent.
“Hill destinations continue to be a key growth driver for Sarovar Hotels this summer. Properties in Bhimtal, Dalhousie, Mussoorie, Manali, Palampur, Shimla, and Srinagar are seeing heightened interest, reflecting a broader travel trend towards experiential stays and nature-centric getaways,” said Akshay Thusoo, senior vice president (commercial), Sarovar Hotels.
“Compared to the same period last year, we’ve seen average daily rate increase by 7 per cent, with occupancy levels also showing an upward trend,” he added.
Travel firms and hotels are also witnessing higher growth this April compared to last year, which had seen muted demand due to general elections.
“We’re witnessing a strong start to the summer season, with advance bookings up by 35-40 per cent compared to the same period last year. The early onset of heat in Delhi NCR, coupled with multiple long weekends in April, has led to a noticeable uptick in early travel planning. Overall, Q1 is shaping up to be a strong quarter for leisure travel, with an anticipated growth of 25 per cent compared to last summer,” said Vibhas Prasad, Director, Leisure Hotels Group
Destinations, including Rishikesh, Nainital, Haridwar, and Corbett—continue to gain traction, Prasad said. “Our properties in McLeodganj, Manali, and Kasauli are also seeing growing interest,” he added.
The India Meteorological Department has forecasted heat wave warning for Delhi, Gujarat, Rajasthan extending till April 18. Heat wave is forecasted for various parts of Andhra Pradesh too.
Published on April 13, 2025
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